AND he needs a name. If you want to play please help me name my newest creation. Just leave a comment (US only please. I’m so sorry but international shipping is too expensive). If I pick the name you suggest I will send a sweet little winter RAK that includes some Maya Road Snowflakes. I am going to see if I can teach this as a class locally. We will see if there are any snowman lovin people in Texas.

Mister Snowman stands about 24″ tall so he is a biggie. After all he is in Texas and everyone knows “Everything is bigger in Texas.”

I just discounted some of the kits I had left over from teaching at the Crafty Scrapper this past weekend. If you are interested now is the time to snag them up. Each kit is FULL of product and comes with step by step instructions and color photos. I do not count out single buttons, chipboard letters or cut up my papers. I give you entire tins, full sheets or pads of patterned papers and yards of ribbon. On top of the already discounted price if you order two kits you get an additional 10% off - 3 kits an additional 15% off and 4 or more kits an additional 20% off. I ship flat rate so several kits can fit into one box.

I must say I had such a fun day Saturday. Although I am so mad at myself for not taking one photo. I even had my camera but was so wrapped up in teaching and shopping I completely forgot! Carolyn’s store can do that to you though… it is PACKED full of great product. Carolyn was so sweet and gave me this really cute votive holder for me to alter. As soon as I saw it I knew some of my vintage treasures would be adorning this cutie soon. Once I get it finished I will share some photos.

Carolyn also forced me to talk about my book that I am working on. And it looks as though once it comes out I will be doing a book signing at her store. I must say I have worked so hard on each piece I have created and so far I’m thrilled. I am also really enjoying the writing portion of this project. I love to give tips and tell of my inspirations behind each piece. This so far has been an incredible journey.

You are certainly going to want to mark Oct. 10th on your calendar. Wendy Vecchi comes to teach at the Crafty Scrapper that weekend. I will be staying with several other Maya Road girls that weekend in Waxahachie to take a few of Wendy’s amazing classes Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. Friday Oct. 10th Carolyn is hosting a crop so everyone can meet Wendy. This crop will include dinner, drinks and dessert. Some of the Maya Road design team (Caroline, Me, Jessica and Aubrey) will be there doing make-n-takes. If you are interested in attending you best sign up now because space is limited. Wendy is a true talent and I am so glad she is my friend. She honestly deserves all the wonderful things that have come her way.

I have had several people email me regarding this “Spooktacular” sign. So I thought I would do a little tutorial since the products are in stores right now…. So here ya go…

Products:
Maya Road Philadelphia Uppercase Alphabet
Maya Road Midnight Black Velvet Ric Rac
Maya Road Star Coaster Album
Maya Road Motifs Chipboard Set
Black Boa
Wide Orange Ribbon
Daisy D’s Spooky Dot (any Halloween patterned paper will work)
Stickles (Orange Peel)
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber (Gold)
Martha Stewart Glitter (Florentine Gold)
Making Memories Glitter (Black)
Making Memories Paint (Black)
Pre-painted Wooden Plaque (Michael’s)

Tools:
Hot Glue Gun
Paint Brush
Paper Trimmer
Fiskars Scissors
Liquid Adhesive
Fiskars Hand Drill

Instructions:

• Accent all orange painted areas on the wooden plaque using Stickles Orange Peel…
• Cover inside portion of your wooden plaque using patterned paper
• Paint chipboard alphabet and small star gold, apply gold glitter, let dry
• Paint one Chipboard Star page using black paint (front and back), apply black glitter, let dry
• Adhere the small gold star on top of the black star, let dry
• Adhere altered letters to top of patterned paper in center of plaque
• Using your drill, drill a hole in the lower right section of the plaque about a 1/4 of the way from the center. (you want your star to hang off center)
• Attach your altered Chipboard star using the ball chain that comes with the coaster album
• Using a hot glue gun adhere the black boa all around the edge of the wooden plaque
• Using a hot glue gun create your hanger by attaching the wide orange ribbon, midnight black velvet ric rac to the top of each end of your plaque
• Accent each end with a bow using midnight black velvet ric rac

Enjoy! If you have any questions just comment and I will reply there… some might have the same questions too!

Wanna make one of these? If so, check out Scrap Scene for complete how to instructions.

All the projects for my first book deadline are on the way to F&W Publications. And gosh does it feel good to have them out of the house. I will tweak and tweak and tweak until I make myself nuts! This Saturday, I will be teaching at The Crafty Scrapper. I cannot wait to shop either. Carolyn has her store packed. I have to make at least two trips around the store before I can focus enough to think about purchasing items. I tell ya if you have never been to her store because you worry about the drive. Let me just tell you it is so worth every mile.

Since my sister and her family are still having to stay with us due to hurricane Ike. Madelyn and I had a little photo shot yesterday. I got this one photo that I really love and just in the nick of time I might add. As soon as I took this one a mosquito bit her on the little toe and she was done. In the house she went. But she did politely say, I could take some more tomorrow.